THE IMPACT OF NO TILL CULTIVATION ON INFILTRATION RATE AND DRY AGGREGATE STABILITY IN GIREI, ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA

28 PAGES (10866 WORDS) Agricultural Science Project

 

ABSTRACT

The impact of short term no-till cultivation on infiltration rate and dry aggregate stability in mararraban daware, Girei local government area, Adamawa state were evaluated to compare some soil properties as affected by some tillage operations. The no-till cultivation was started in June 2015 and in January 2017 measurements of soil infiltration rate, dry aggregate stability, pH (soil reaction), organic carbon, electrical conductivity (EC), and soil texture were made. Sixty (60) Samples were collected, 30 samples in the No-till site and 30 in the adjacent conventionally tilled sites at depth of 0-20cm and 20-50cm respectively. Samples were prepared and the standard laboratory technique was used for laboratory analysis. Two infiltration test per site were also carried out. Using dry sieving method, sieves at apertures of 2mm, 1.18mm, 600µm, 425µm, 300µm, 150µm and 75µm was used and the aggregate of each class was determined by weighing the various soils being retained at each sieve and the relationship between them on each site was examined. The results obtained shows that pH was near neutral on both sites, EC was normal, OC and OM were generally low in all the soils of the study area. MWD (mean weight diameter) was higher in the CT site than in NT site, infiltration test was faster on the CT site than NT.  


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONTENT

Abstract                                                                                                                                   4                                                                     

CHAPTER ONE         

INTRODUCTION                                                                                                                    5

1.1 Background of the study                                                                                                   5

1.2 Statement of problem                                                                                                        6

1.3 Significance of the study                                                                                                   6

1.4 Aims and Objectives                                                                                                          6

CHAPTER TWO         

LITERATURE REVIEW         

2.1 No-till cultivation                                                                                                               7

2.2 Benefits of No-Till.                                                                                                                       8

2.3 The effect of No-tillage on Infiltration rate                                                                                    9

2.4 The effect of No-tillage on soil bulk density                                                                                 10

2.5 Effect of No-tillage on soil aggregate and soil structure.                                                    11

2.6 The effect of No-tillage on soil porosity                                                                            13

2.7 The effect of No-tillage on soil temperature                                                                                  14

2.8 The effects of No-tillage on crop growth                                                                           15

2.9 Effects of No-Tillage on Available Water Capacity/Total Soil Water.                                            15

CHAPTER THREE     

MATERIALS AND METHOD

3.1Experimental site                                                                                                                18

3.2 Climate                                                                                                                              18

3.3Field work                                                                                                                          18

3.4Laboratory Analysis                                                                                                                       19

3.4.1 Particle size distribution                                                                                                  19

3.4.2Soil Reaction (pH)                                                                                                                       19

3.4.2Electrical conductivity (EC)                                                                                             19

3.4.3Organic carbon (OC)                                                                                                       19

3.4.4Dry Aggregate Analysis                                                                                                   19

3.4.5Wet Aggregate Analysis                                                                                                   20

3.4.6Infiltration Studies                                                                                                                       20

3.4.6    Statistical Analysis                                                                                                       20

CHAPTER FOUR       

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS         

4.1 Some soil properties of the study site.                                                                               21

4.3 Aggregate stability and mean weight diameter (MWD)                                                      23

4.3 Infiltration rate                                                                                                                   25

CHAPTER FIVE         

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

5.1 Summary/Conclusion                                                                                                        28

5.2 Recommendation                                                                                                               28

REFERENCE.                                                                                                                          29

Appendices                                                                                                                              35